Time for a new lathe

[gav0994]

I currently have a Boxford Mk1 AUD set up with a 3 phase Newton Tesla motor and inverter package. It's a cracking little lathe, albeit a bit rough on the paintwork on the cabinet. It has served me well, however I'm increasingly finding it a chore with some of the bigger jobs I'm doing and as such I have decided to upgrade.

I have settled on a Harrison 140 as the replacement ( still looking for one at the moment). Having watched all of John Doubleboost's videos of his in action it seems the perfect lathe for what I need. The overall footprint isn't much bigger than the Boxford but it offers greater capacity and power.

I will be listing the Boxford on here for sale once I finally replace the back gear I stupidly bust trying to lock the spindle to remove a chuck and repaint the cabinet and drip tray.

I'd appreciate any info and advice from the Harrison users on here on what to look out for and what the price range would be (plenty of Harrison lathes on ebay with widely varying prices (only one 140 though)). Sadly an M250 or M300 are outside my budget. Lastly, if anyone knows of a 140 that may be available I'd be interested - willing to travel within reason for the right machine.

 

[grim_d]

Consider a L5/L5A? Very similar machine. But possibly cheaper and more abundant?

What do you need from it? Spec wise.

The only thing I want from my L5a vs a 140 is the metric screwcutting.

 

[Keith 66]

There are quite a few ex school 140's about, I have one & its a great machine. Try & buy one with tooling as putting all the bits together for a stripped one will cost you an arm & a leg. Re the L5 they are the same size but have a spindle bore approx the same size as the boxford so little real increase in capacity.

 

[gav0994]

Consider a L5/L5A? Very similar machine. But possibly cheaper and more abundant?

What do you need from it? Spec wise.

The only thing I want from my L5a vs a 140 is the metric screwcutting.

ideally want a 140 for the metric screw cutting option.

There are a few L5/5a models on ebay at the moment but I think they are looking for too much for them as there is little to no accessories with them.

There is one 140 on at the moment- very vague description and it's in Wales somewhere and it seems alot as there is only a 3 jaw with it.

I'm prepared to wait for the the right machine to come along.

 

[gav0994]

There are quite a few ex school 140's about, I have one & its a great machine. Try & buy one with tooling as putting all the bits together for a stripped one will cost you an arm & a leg. Re the L5 they are the same size but have a spindle bore approx the same size as the boxford so little real increase in capacity.

I've spent the last 3 or 4 days hunting the Internet for a 140 and so far have failed to find any, apart from the one on ebay and it doesn't appeal due to the lack of tooling/accessories and asking price.

L5 is no use as I'd like the larger spindle bore capacity the 140 offers along with the metric box.

 

[grim_d]

1.375" spindle bore on L5a. But obviously no use for metric screwcutting without changewheels.

Mine has metric lead screws in the cross and compound slide however so with correct changewheels it would almost be a full metric machine. Late ones even had the L00 nose like the 140 but they appear to be very rare.

Just worth keeping an eye out if you have no joy finding a 140.

 

[grim_d]

Home and workshop have a 140 but very strong money.

http://www.homeandworkshop.co.uk/harrison.htm?53270

 

[gav0994]

Home and workshop have a 140 but very strong money.

http://www.homeandworkshop.co.uk/harrison.htm?53270

have just seen that one - very strong money and not alot of accessories - just shy of 2grand if you include the tax man's cut of it

it's within my budget, however I also need to factor in the cost of an inverter and purchase of tooling. Ideally looking for one with 3 and 4 jaw and a qctp if possible. The hunt continues

 

[gav0994]

Have come across a Boxford STS fairly close by to me. It has a 35mm spindle bore and D1 camlock chuck mounting and also metric screw cutting gearbox. The spindle bore and metric screwcutting are my main requirements, so it is a high contender to replace the AUD. It is well within my projected budget and I can cover a good chunk of the cost by selling the AUD.

A bit more research and deliberating and I'll hopefully make my mind up by the weekend on whether to continue the hunt for a 140 or go for the Boxford STS.